Don’t Wait To Manage Your Diabetes

By Patty Kim, Tampa Tribune, Fla.

Dec. 16–He has gone from sculpting celebrity four-packs into six-packs to melting hundreds of pounds off the larger-than-life on NBC’s “The Biggest Loser.” Now life and fitness coach Bob Harper is tackling a new challenge: type 2 diabetes.

It’s all part of the Diabetes & You: Step It Up To Get It Down educational campaign, which has Harper touring the country to help people learn to better manage the disease.

He hopes to reach out to the 20.8 million people in the United States who have diabetes, which is more common in blacks, Hispanics, American Indians, Asians and Pacific Islanders, according to the American Diabetes Association.

This is perfect timing for Harper because of how he has helped “Biggest Loser” contestant Erik manage his diabetes. At 6 foot 2 and a starting weight of 407 pounds, Erik didn’t realize he was living with the disease until he made it on the show.

“He thought he was defying all the odds because his doctor had told him his cholesterol was fine and his blood work was fine,” Harper says. “But when you’re that overweight, you can only go on for so long. Your body will fail at some point.

“There are many people out there who need a wake-up call. Erik got that tap on the shoulder. Hopefully through this campaign, other people can get not so much of a drastic wake-up call. What you don’t know can kill you.”

Harper has given Erik the tools he needs to control his condition.

With Harper’s help, Erik dropped a whopping 124 pounds in 11 weeks, catapulting him into “The Biggest Loser” final four.

At the live finale Wednesday night, Erik proved to be the biggest loser, dropping 214 pounds — 53 percent of his body weight. He did Harper proud and walked away with $250,000.

Experiences such as this drive Harper to motivate others to better manage type 2 diabetes.

The campaign “just fit, and I feel very passionate about it,” Harper says while visiting Tampa recently. “I spend a lot of time talking to people about getting control of their lives. That’s what I do on the show. For me, working on this campaign is going to give me more of a chance to have a voice.”

Type 2 diabetes results when the body doesn’t produce enough or can’t respond to insulin, which helps cells convert blood sugar to energy. Sugar builds up in the blood, starving the cells.

Harper and a panel of diabetes experts convened by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists have developed the 6.5 Steps Toward Better Blood Sugar Control.

The goal is to help people reach the target A1C goal of 6.5 percent or less — an essential step in managing type 2 diabetes. The A1C test measures your average blood-sugar levels from the past two to three months.

High blood sugar can lead to serious complications such as kidney failure, blindness, amputations, heart attack and stroke.

So what’s the best way to stay in control? Start with a well-balanced diet:

–Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables in every color to maximize variety.

–Choose whole-grain foods such as brown rice or whole-wheat pasta.

–Try dried beans such as kidney and pinto, as well as lentils.

–Have fish three times a week.

–Pick lean meats that end in “loin,” such as pork loin and tenderloin. Remove the skin from chicken and turkey.

–Go for water and calorie-free diet drinks instead of soda, sweet tea and juice.

Stay active to keep pounds at bay. Check with your health care provider before beginning exercise programs, and start slowly:

–Take the stairs whenever possible.

–Walk the dog. You’ll be doing your body good, and Fido will thank you.

–Park farther away while running errands to log extra steps.

–Sweep, mop or vacuum while watching TV. Better yet, lift weights to build muscle.

–Don’t stay cooped up in the house. Gardening is a great way to relax and burn calories. Mow the lawn or wash the car to keep moving.

–Find a workout buddy to keep you motivated and accountable. Play tennis, go for a bike ride, or try laps at the pool.

Also, don’t forget to monitor your blood sugar, visit a doctor or health care professional, and take medicine when appropriate.

If you’re interested in learning more about better diabetes management, call 1-877-657-8377 or visit www.stepitupdiabetes.com.

6.5 STEPS

1. Be honest with yourself. Diabetes can be tough, but it doesn’t have to control you.

2. Think about your reasons for living a healthier life and feeling better. Always keep them in mind.

3. Team up with your doctor or health care professional to make a plan. This may include taking one or more medicines. You are in this together with the same goals.

4. Make healthy eating and regular physical activity part of your life.

5. Check your blood sugar as often as your doctor tells you to, and know your A1C number (your average blood-sugar level for the past two to three months).

6. No quitting. Not today. Not tomorrow. Never give up!

6.5. The half-step — Getting started is HALF the battle!

Source: www.stepitupdiabetes.com

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Copyright (c) 2006, Tampa Tribune, Fla.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.

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